POLITICS
DSS Bares Fangs Against Ayu, Other Politicians Over Utterances

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS), on Monday warned politicians against making utterances that have tendencies to breach public peace and order.
The secret service gave the warning in a statement titled “Ayu’s Unprovoked Diatribe Against DSS” made available to newsmen by its spokesperson Dr.
In the statement, the DSS condemned what it described as “unjustified, unfair, speculative and preposterous” utterance from the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the statement, “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to an unwarranted statement made by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu against security agencies including the Service.
“The Party Chairman, while speaking at an event on 23rd February, 2022 in Owerri, Imo State, was quoted to have said that his party would not use the DSS to harass the people when they take over Aso Rock in 2023.
“Though the Service restrains itself from joining issues particularly with politicians, it wishes to state its disapproval of such statement which is considered unjustified, unfair, speculative and preposterous.
” Except to malign and incite the people against it, the Service questions the rationale behind such an unprovoked description of it by Chief Ayu who had variously benefitted from it and indeed the State.
” Having served variously as Senate President, Minister of Education, Industry, Internal Affairs and Environment, with full complements of Security details, he knows the Service is never used to harass the people.
” And if he ever used the details for negative purposes (unknown to the Service), he should know that the times have changed. Dr Ayu knows that the Service is a frontline guardian of democracy and respects the rule of law in Nigeria.”It is committed to the protection of the people. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not shield its personnel who offend its rules and in fact, laws of the land, from disciplinary action, thus the untruthfulness of his statement.
“The DSS has undoubtedly made profound sacrifices for the existence and unity of the country and will continue to, despite deliberate attacks on it”, he said
While urging members of the public to disregard Dr. Ayu’s statement, Afunanya said the Service would prefer to be left out of any political fray as it is committed to maintaining usual neutrality and transparency in the discharge of its mandate.
It could be recalled that Ayu few days ago stated categorically that will not use the DSS to kill opponents if it returns to power in 2023. He spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital during the civic reception held in honor of the National Secretary of the party, Senator Nnaemeka Samuel Anyanwu (Samdaddy) at Kanu Nwankwo Center Owerri. He blamed the root cause of the agitations for secession in the South-east on political imbalance and marginalization of the zone, saying the party would handle southeast issues like the late President Umaru Yar’Adua settled the Niger Delta agitation.
According to Ayu, “We shall address the issue of Biafra agitation like Yar’Adua addressed Niger Delta issue when we eventually retake Aso Rock in 2023.
“We will not use DSS to kill your people like the APC-led administration did. PDP will win the 2023 election. Ayu, who assured that the PDP was ready to correct the abnormality, said what the South-East zone is passing through in Nigeria is not healthy and encouraging.
POLITICS
Adamawa APC Endorses Tinubu, Lauds Ribadu’s Efforts

From Yagana Ali, Yola
The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027. The endorsement was made at a high-powered stakeholders’ meeting held in Yola, where party leaders and members expressed their unwavering support for the President’s re-election bid.
The National Vice Chairman (North East) of the APC, Mustapha Salihu, led the party leaders and stakeholders in affirming the party’s support for President Tinubu. Salihu described the President’s administration as one committed to economic transformation, institutional reforms, and national stability. He urged party members to close ranks and consolidate the gains of the last two years under the Tinubu-led government.The APC also passed a vote of confidence on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, lauding his efforts in stabilising the country and restoring Nigeria’s global image through strategic security interventions. The party described Ribadu as a worthy Adamawa ambassador who has not let the state and the country down.As part of the celebrations, Comrade Salihu donated a modern two-storey duplex, valued at over N300 million, to serve as the APC Adamawa State Secretariat. The gesture is part of Salihu’s efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.The event witnessed the defection of several high-profile political figures into the APC, including the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Crowther Seth, and prominent businessman and philanthropist, Abdulrahman Haske. Other notable figures who spoke at the event commended President Tinubu for his strides in national security, infrastructure development, economic recovery, and educational reforms.The endorsement of President Tinubu and the vote of confidence on NSA Ribadu demonstrate the APC’s commitment to consolidating the gains of the current administration and promoting national stability and development.POLITICS
Pro-Democracy Activist Warns Against Plot to Stop Tinubu

Dr Layo Adebiyi, a pro-democracy activist, has warned that any coalition formed against President Bola Tinubu’s second term will collapse before the 2027 election.
He gave this warning during a news conference held in Ikeja on Thursday to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day.
Adebiyi, once imprisoned under Gen.
Sani Abacha, described President Tinubu as a political continuation of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief M. K.O. Abiola.He said Awolowo made significant efforts to develop Nigeria but was repeatedly denied the opportunity to lead the nation.
Speaking at the event, which was attended by Abiola’s son, Alh. Lekan Abiola, Adebiyi said he was inspired to write a book on the acclaimed winner of June 12 presidential polls.
The book, he explained, aims to help Nigerians understand the real political manoeuvres behind the scenes of national leadership.
He said: “Awolowo tried to offer national development as President, but he was never allowed the opportunity.
“Abiola won a clear mandate and was loved by the people, but he too was stopped by unseen political forces.
“I’m writing this book to warn that Tinubu represents both Awolowo and Abiola’s legacy, and must not be denied like them.
“The book reveals the realities of Nigeria’s political chess game. I had no initial plan to make it public.”
According to Adebiyi, Abiola’s son insisted on a public launch after reading the manuscript and recognising its historical importance.
He said Lekan Abiola believed the book offered Nigerians access to the true story of his father’s political life.
Adebiyi also recalled that 27 years have passed since Abiola was killed on the day he was meant to be released.
He added that the man who annulled the 1993 election has since revealed the motives behind the act in his memoir, ‘A Journey in Service.’
Lekan Abiola said he once believed nothing new could be written about his father or the history of Nigerian democracy.
However, his mind changed after reading Adebiyi’s manuscript, which detailed his father’s life and political journey across Africa.
He said it helped him understand his father’s wider contributions to the Nigerian society and the global black community.
Lekan noted that while many viewed Abiola as just a politician, the book exposed deeper forces that undermined his ambitions.
He said the annulment of the 1993 election was premeditated, rooted in old political doctrines that resisted power shift.
What struck him most was Adebiyi’s analysis predicting a potential political alliance against President Tinubu’s re-election plans.
“After reading the manuscript, I insisted on a public launch to enlighten Nigerians and democracy advocates,” Lekan said. (NAN)
POLITICS
National Honors: Tinubu a Nationalist Par Excellence — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has described President Bola Tinubu as a nationalist par excellence for giving national honours to some deserving Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday conferred a posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Kudirat Abiola, describing her as the heroine of the June 12 struggle.
Tinubu honoured Kudirat ,wife of winner of the celebrated election,MKO Abiola, and other heroes of democracy during his address at the Joint Session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day 2025.
Reacting on the list of beneficiaries, Mr Seye Oladejo, the Lagos State APC Spokesman, told NAN that the President had again proven himself as a true nationalist.
According to him, the national honours bestowed on late Mrs Abiola and her co-travelers in the struggle for the democracy, show Mr President as a firm believer in the labour of the nation’s heroes and heroines.
“Mr President, a nationalist par excellence is a firm believer that the labour of our heroes , past and present, should not be in vain,
“He has set a good precedent for other patriots to know that their sacrifices for the nation will always be appropriately acknowledged and rewarded.
“It’s worthy of note that it has taken the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency to accord the well earned pride of place to these worthy martyrs of our nascent democracy.”
NAN reports that the President also conferred posthumous national honours on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR) and Bagauda Kaltho (OON).
Others are: Chima Ubani (OON), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON) and Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON).
Dr Edwin Madunagu bagged the CON honour; Dr Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).
Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON) and Mr Bayo Onanuga (CON) were also honoured by Tinubu.
Other beneficiaries are Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Kukah (CON), Sen. Shehu Sani (CON), Gov. Uba Sani (CON), Femi Falana (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Luke Aghanenu (OON) and Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON).
Also among the beneficiaries are Mr Labaran Maku (OON), Dr Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon. Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Felix Morka (CON), Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON) and Dr Amos Akingba (CON).
Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR) and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR) were also honoured.
Additionally, the president conferred the national honour of CON on Sam Amuka Pemu, publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, who he said remained true to his lifetime calling as he marked his 90th birthday on Friday.
“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON) and Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the Prerogative of Mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.
The president decorated the presiding officers of the National Assembly with the national honours earlier conferred upon them in 2024.
Those decorations were Sen. Godswill Akpabio, GCON; Mr Abbas Tajudeen, GCON – Speaker, Sen. Jibrin Barau, CFR – Deputy Senate President and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CFR – Deputy Speaker. (NAN)